French Coq au Vin with Root Vegetables

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf bay leaf
• 2 cups pearl onions, peeled
• 2 cups carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 cups potatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 cup mushrooms, quartered
• to taste salt and pepper

Method

1. 01
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. 02
   Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then dredge them in flour, shaking off any excess.
3. 03
   In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
4. 04
   In the same pot, add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. Remove the chicken and set aside.
5. 05
   Add the garlic, pearl onions, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
6. 06
   Stir in the tomato paste, followed by the red wine and chicken stock. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
7. 07
   Return the chicken and bacon to the pot. Add the thyme and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
8. 08
   Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Cook for approximately 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is tender.
9. 09
   Remove the pot from the oven. Discard the bay leaf, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.